Challenge | Help a child’s prospects

Sweet Scarlett, as she is affectionately called, has lived with her Operation Open Arms family since she was born almost two years ago. They adore her. Scarlett’s birth mother was pregnant behind bars and wanted a loving family to take care of her child. She turned to Operation Open Arms Inc. for help. Thanks to Operation Open Arms, children like Scarlett, are thriving and growing up in healthy, happy homes.

Operation Open Arms, a Lousiville-based nonprofit organization, provides a safe haven for children whose mothers are incarcerated and gives them a loving stable environment with the hope that they can be raised to become responsible citizens and productive members of our society. Our mission at Operation Open Arms is to provide a loving, caring home for these children to be raised so they don’t repeat behavior like that of their parents.

My husband, Irv, and I founded Operation Open Arms 13 years ago to provide loving, caring homes for children to be raised in until their mother is able to care for herself and her children. Operation Open Arms is committed to helping with bonding between the incarcerated mother and her child and allows them to maintain regular contact. We are always looking for families who want to make a difference in the lives of children by opening their hearts and their homes to them.

Operation Open Arms relies solely on private funding. Our annual charity fundraising event, Silks in the Bluegrass, is held each year on the night of the Kentucky Derby. The proceeds benefit Operation Open Arms. This year’s featured entertainment is Golden Globe-nominated performer and Emmy Award winner Lucie Arnaz and her accomplished band. She has been on tour with her Latin Roots big band show, which is a story about the genesis of her love affair with music and a tribute to her father, Desi Arnaz, the man who introduced it to her. They will entertain guests on Derby night, May 3.

The celebration includes cocktails, dinner and entertainment at the Crowne Plaza Louisville Hotel, just minutes from the track. Doors open at 7 p.m. This is a wonderful opportunity to include in your Derby festivities not only an evening of fun and entertainment but an opportunity to reach out and support a child in need. Tickets cost $250 per person. If you are interested in buying tickets, please visit www.oparms.org, or call our office at (502) 777-6300. You can also friend us on Facebook at Operation Open Arms Inc. or follow us on Twitter @OpOpenArms.

Unfortunately, often the children ofincarcerated mothers are the forgotten ones. We welcome your support to help embrace a better future for these children.